Comprehensive Insurance

I came upon this post in another forum I use, Might be worth checking your cover if you ride someone else's bike

My commute started playing up yesterday (intermittent electrical problem) and I had to ride in on Julie's bike this morning.

Got stopped by the police... number plate had fallen off. £30 fine (no plate) and put on a producer.

Presented the required documents at the Police Station only to find that my 'comprehensive' motorcycle insurance doesn't cover me to ride another bike. They said that this has become a common problem since 'the insurance companies' quietly changed their policies.

Note that there was nothing in the Insurance Certificate's "Limitations as to use", "Exclusions" or "Special Conditions" to highlight this rather significant limitation, which in my experience to date was always included in a comprehensive policy.

After 20 minutes waiting on the phone to MCE (whilst being subjected to their marketing spiel telling me that their company "…was built on bike insurance… they know what we need… offering policies we can trust…" and the obligatory "...Your call is important to us...") I finally got to speak to a "Customer Service Adviser".

I asked him if they told people taking out a 'comprehensive' policy with an insurance company that didn't cover them to ride someone else's bike and he said "no, only if they explicitly ask".

To get cover I had to take out a new policy with another insurance company - the previous company (the "Advantage Insurance Company Ltd") don't do any policies that would cover me to ride another bike. And the additional cost of this cover? £14 extra.

So beware!

If you haven't already done so I strongly urge you to check that your 'comprehensive' insurance policy specifically includes riding someone else's bike or you too may find yourself facing the possibility of 6 points and a fine for riding without insurance.

Adam

[northwind]

Why is "comprehensive" in brackets? Insurance policies only cover you for the things they say they do, presuming that they do something is a good way to get the wrong policy. Other bike cover's something that should be an option, IMO, since many of us will never ride any other bikes other than test rides (which are covered seperately, usually, under the dealership's insurance). Likewise pillion cover, being allowed to turn it off can save a few bob, and since I've not got a pillion seat it's nice to have the option.

Still, it's a good post- read everything the insurance sends you. I used to work in general insurance and it still took me a month to discover that CIA hadn't given me the cover described in the original phone call, and 3 months to get my money back.

Originally Posted by Vfr400

I came upon this port in another forum I use, Might be worth checking your cover if you ride someone else's bike

Yea, dodgy that. See I dont get that, because i have TPFT with carol nash, and they also said I have third party on all other bikes (which it says in the documents too). So surley fully comp should come with at least third party on other bikes as standard, if the company is any good?

Matt

[northwind]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Yea, dodgy that. See I dont get that, because i have TPFT with carol nash, and they also said I have third party on all other bikes (which it says in the documents too). So surley fully comp should come with at least third party on other bikes as standard, if the company is any good?

Remember that you're paying for it- it might not be an extra but it all adds to the price, like the free toy in a happy meal. I don't have third party on other bikes through Carole Nash, incidentally, the policy I was offered didn't have it.

Got TPF&T & 3rd party on other bikes.

Wish I'd thought to ask abotu 3rd party on other cars!